Nick Skelton has again proved himself as one of the world’s most formidable showjumpers, winning the Global Champions Tour grand prix in Hamburg on Saturday with Big Star.
And coming just a week after Nick and Carlo won the grand prix in La Baule on 13 May, it gives Team GBR great hope of a podium finish in Greenwich.
Nick picked up 40 GCT ranking points, €94,050 and an engraved Jaeger-Le Couture Reverso watch in Hamburg.
He also won a Mercedes car with Carlo in the jump-off class on Thursday.
Speaking after the GCT grand prix, Nick said: “[Big Star] is only nine years old but has the mind of a 12-year-old. He has been consistent all year.
“He is a very smart horse that loves to jump and do the job and he has made me very happy today.
“I thought the second round course was very big.”
Nick was one of five riders to post a double clear in the first round and make it to the jump off.
Last year’s winner Rolf Goran Bengtsson and Casall la Silla were first to go, setting an impressive score of clear in 49.32sec.
But Nick shaved more than a second off his time, to stop the clock on 47.97.